What’s New for MS

Research on MS continues to advance. Researchers are making headway in virtually every priority funding category identified by the National MS Society: stopping MS, restoring what’s been lost, and ending the disease forever. Researchers are closer to understanding what causes MS and how to effectively treat and prevent MS than ever before.

Here is a video on recent developments from MSWorld.org:  Overview of 2016 MS Research.

For a broader view of the history of understanding MS, the National MS Society provides an interesting document entitled “Critical Milestones for MS” here: Timeline of Progress in MS Research.

FINALLY there are a number of studies taking a look at the relationship between diet and MS. If I never hear "Have you tried ...? Or my friend only eats ___ and feels great!" it'll be too soon. But if there is actual research then that's a different story. Right now there is not enough evidence to recommend one diet over another. However, most of the diets agree on the same food items that should be cut out. Foods to avoid are those that:

·         Are highly processed

·         Have a high glycemic index (GI)

·         Are high in saturated fat

In general, the diets tend to recommend eating less fatty red meat and more fruits and vegetables. Keep an eye out for the results of these studies. The National MS Society reviewed various dies here: NMSS Diet and Multiple Sclerosis.

Here’s to a happy and healthy new year!

MS and Complementary and Alternative Medicine or Therapies (CAM)

Many people with MS explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments to help control their MS and treat their symptoms. Surveys suggest that up to 70% of people with MS have tried one or more CAM treatment.

CAM Therapies:

Acupuncture - Many MS patients find that they can achieve great relief from their life-inhibiting symptoms with the help of acupuncture. Acupuncture is an age-old healing practice of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are placed at specific points in the body. Over time, some patients find that they experience their MS symptoms with less frequency and intensity.

My experience: I tried acupuncture twice and had panic attacks both times – I felt trapped. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me but I’ve heard people have had great success in treating their MS symptoms especially pain, spasticity, bladder function, and fatigue.

Diet – see an earlier blog entry I wrote on MS & Diet.

Exercise – In addition to being essential to general health and well-being, exercise is helpful in managing many MS symptoms. It is important to make a program that suits you and your MS. Yoga, Feldenkrais, and Tai Chi are different things that are suited for those with MS.

My experience: I have a leg exercise program, an arm exercise program, do some core exercises, and practice Wheelchair yoga. You have to remember to pace yourself and take days off.

Vitamins, minerals, and other supplements - Being an educated and careful consumer is critically important to figuring out what to take. To be most effective, vitamins need to work in careful balance. Be sure to communicate with your doctor.

NMSS Vitamins Brochure

My experience: I take Vitamin D, a cranberry supplement for urinary tract health, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, and Magnesium. I can’t say I feel any better but I follow recommendations from my doctor.

LDN (Low-Dose Naltrexone) - Naltrexone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of addictions to opioids and alcohol. At significantly lower doses, Naltrexone has been prescribed as a treatment for a variety of diseases. There was a small clinical trial involving 60 MS patients at UCSF (University of California – San Francisco). The investigators found that LDN significantly improved quality of life (specifically, mental health, pain and self-reported cognitive function), but no impact was observed on aspects of physical quality of life (such as fatigue, bowel and bladder control, and visual function). LDN may provide symptomatic relief for MS.

My experience: When I asked my neurologist about LDN, she just said, “It can’t hurt.” She also suggested I try it for one month then go off of it for one month. On the month I was off LDN, I had a very bad flare and ended up in the hospital and in In-Patient rehab for eight days. It may have been a coincidence but now I don’t miss a dose just in case.

Marijuana (Cannabis) - Marijuana has many possible benefits for people with MS. It may help with spasticity, sleep difficulties, pain, and bladder control. However, further research concerning marijuana and related substances for the treatment of MS is needed. People using marijuana to treat MS symptoms should discuss this with their physician. Users should be aware of the legal status of marijuana use in their area.

My experience: I use a vape pen with marijuana cartridges. It helps with my anxiety, pain, and spasticity.

Massage - Massage may produce many health benefits. It is generally considered safe and is of low to moderate cost. The studies directly examining massage in MS are limited, but work in other medical conditions show possible benefits for some symptoms commonly associated with MS, including depression, anxiety, spasticity, constipation, and pain.

My experience: I’ve started seeing a massage therapist and love it. She comes to me and can work on me in my power wheelchair. I can’t speak to long-term benefits but I know that it relaxes me in the moment and for hours afterward.

Meditation - Meditation is a mind-body therapy that may help with pain, stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Furthermore, meditation may aid in the development of empowerment, self-esteem, and feelings of control; however, these concepts are relatively difficult to formally study. Given the pace and pressures of modern life, everyone could benefit from practicing meditation, but especially people with chronic illness and those with higher levels of stress.

My experience: I use the Headspace app for guided meditation. It has useful theme packages to help you control anxiety, stress, etc. I am a bit cynical but do feel the breathing does calm me.

Some people who seek out alternative medicine feel that conventional therapy has not successfully controlled their symptoms, or that the potential side effects associated with traditional therapy aren't acceptable. While CAM has not been shown to have significant effects on the progression of MS over time, many find that adding complementary medicine to their treatment program allows improved control of symptoms. 

MS & Diet

A common question MS’ers often ask is, “Is there an MS Diet?” Some say yes. Some say no. The diversity of recommendations and the lack of a coherent message about diet and MS can leave those with MS uncertain andconfused.

Especially recently, different diets have been proposed as treatments, or even cures, for symptoms of MS, or for the progression of the disease. Most of the evidence for diets that are touted as helping people with MS have been based on anecdotal evidence, rather than controlled experiments. And those that have been evaluated more rigorously have produced mixed results. Claims for dietary “treatments” that are based on personal accounts are subject to all of the things that make anecdotes very weak evidence. People are susceptible to placebo effects, spontaneous remissions, and hucksterism, to name a few.

Ironically, the two most popular “MS diets” are almost mirror opposites.

There is the Swank Diet, which is a low-fat diet developed by Dr. Roy Swank more than 30 years ago. No dairy, wheat glutens, legumes, or saturated fat from animal sources are allowed. It stresses fish and fish oils. Dr. Swank reported that 95% of patients who adopted this very low-fat diet following an early diagnosis of MS had a remarkably good chance of remaining free from further disability. The problem is other researchers have not duplicated these results, and there is no generally accepted proof that the Swank diet can control MS progression. There is anecdotal evidence from people with MS that this diet makes them feel better.

Then there is the Wahl’s Protocol, which is modeled after the  Paleo diet. Dr. Terry Wahls was diagnosed with MS in 2000. After seven years of disease progression, she altered her diet to include 3 cups daily of each green leaves, sulfur-rich vegetables, and brightly colored vegetables, fruits, or berries. For protein and animal fat, the diet calls for wild fish for animal-based omega-3s, grass-fed meat, and organ meats, also for vitamin content. The diet eliminates processed foods, grains, and starches. Dr. Wahls has claimed that this diet not only stopped but reversed her disability from MS.

I side with Dr. Randall T. Schapiro, the director of the Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis in Minneapolis who says “diets have been used for MS from time immemorial. If they worked, we wouldn’t be still talking about them.”

Although there's no magical “MS diet,” what and how you eat can make a difference. MS specialists suggest that a low-fat, high-fiber diet similar to the one recommended by the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association can benefit people with MS. A good diet can improve your energy level and overall health, as well as your bladder and bowel function.

In general, the same basic diet rules that apply to everyone also apply to people living with MS:

·         Eat regular meals - eat a healthy, consistent diet. Make sure your diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

·         Eat a balanced diet – limit sugar and processed foods, increase fruits and vegetables, choose lean sources of protein, choose healthy fats, and consume adequate fiber and fluids.

·         Avoid fad diets - There’s no special food that can cure MS. Fad diets focus on large amounts of certain nutrients and leave others out completely. It’s better to follow a balanced diet than to follow a fad.

Of course, eating healthy will make you feel better. But diet shouldn’t be your only treatment. And always check with your doctor before making significant changes.

Guides from the NMSS:

Wellness for People with MS

Is there an MS Diet?